A lack of skilled workers to implement work required to upgrade the grid could undermine the government's net zero targets, according to panellists. Credit: PNW

Event Summary

Energy and Power 2025 | Summary + photos

23 September 2025 11:24 Comments (0)

Place North’s very first conference focused on the energy transition and upgrading the region’s power networks shone a light on the ambitious renewable energy projects in the pipeline and highlighted the many challenges ahead for the development sector in the pursuit of net zero.

A sell-out crowd at VOCO on Portland Street heard from a range of industry experts, including private sector developers, public sector decision-makers, and regeneration specialists, about how the property sector is being impacted by a push towards an all-electric future.

The event was organised by Place North and sponsored by Mills & Reeve, Caddick, Stantec, Cavendish and Lichfields.

Regeneration Brainery is Place’s charity partner.

Expert speakers

Joe Chambers, senior development manager, Cubico
Olivia White, director, Cavendish
Dr Jennie Stein, head of net zero, Enterprising Cumbria
Melissa Wilson, planning director, Lichfields
Gráinne Gilmore, director of research and insights, Cluttons
James Johnson, head of regional programme, North West Net Zero Hub
Mara Rastall, chief executive, Enspec Power
Stephen Cox, director of economics & regeneration, Stantec

Enspec’s Mara Rastall explains the technical limitations of the grid. Credit: PNW

Net Zero by 2050?

The first panel of the day focussed on the challenges facing the development community when it comes to accessing power on site, the public perceptions of the race to net zero, and the very real barriers to upgrading the National Grid.

Local authority planning committee members require better training to enable them to make informed decisions on energy projects

A lack of skills in key areas – including engineers to carry out essential grid upgrades – threaten to undermine the governments net zero targets

It is incumbent on the development industry to convince communities of the benefits of energy projects with regards to job creation and cheaper bills in order to appease net zero sceptics

Without long-term policy stability and continued investment, the chances of the UK hitting its 2050 net zero target are slim, but the economic opportunity of a low carbon future is significant.

One change recently is the setup of Great British Energy as an energy company in its own right,” said Jennie Stein, head of net zero at Enterprising Cumbria. “They will be investing in infrastructure projects at an early stage [and] taking on a greater proportion of the risk. That then unlocks the investment for investors with a lower risk appetite.”

Delivering the big stuff

The event’s second panel honed in on the thorny issue of the UK’s reputation for delivering large energy infrastructure projects. With concrete targets around the generation of clean energy looming, the panel discussed how wind farms in Greater Manchester, nuclear in Cumbria, and tidal in Liverpool would come to fruition.

The lifting of the de facto ban on on-shore wind farms presents a huge opportunity for clean energy generation in the UK. During the ban, plans for 54 wind farms capable of generating 600MW of power were blocked.

Technology has advanced to such an extent that phase two of the Scout Moor wind farm in Rochdale and Rossendale will be able to generate significantly more power than its predecessor with fewer turbines

Plans for a multi-billion-pound tidal barrage across the River Mersey have been well-received by respondents to recent consultations and will require significant public sector funding support

Cumbria’s coastal geography, abundant land, and history as a nuclear force makes it an ideal place for energy-led economic growth

Ensuring that large, often disruptive, renewable energy projects benefit the local community and surrounding environs is crucial to securing public buy-in

While the role of government-owned GB Energy is yet to be fully fleshed out, panellists agreed that the organisation could be crucial in providing viability funding for large-scale renewable energy projects.